1 INDEX

2 About our project ...... 4 2.1 Introduction to Food Incubators Transforming Regions ...... 4 2.2 What are Food Incubators? ...... 4 2.3 1.3 Aims & Objectives ...... 4 2.4 1.4 International Partnership ...... 5 3 Audit and analysis (status quo - existing state of affairs) ...... 6 3.1 Scope of the ...... 6 3.2 National and regional policies ...... 6 3.3 Food Incubators in Slovak Republic ...... 8 3.4 Business incubators in Slovak ...... 9 4 Stakeholder Mapping ...... 14 4.1 Analysing stakeholders ...... 15 5 The “Business Case” ...... 19 5.1 Business Case “Without waste” ...... 19 5.2 Business Case “Food Incubator of Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra” 19 6 Building the FITR Regional Partnership ...... 20 6.1 Minutes – 1st plenary meeting of Slovakia Regional Partnership ...... 20 Photos ...... 21 6.2 Minutes – 2nd plenary meeting of Slovakia Regional Partnership ...... 22 Purpose of meeting ...... 22 In attendance: ...... 22 The date and place of next plenary meeting ...... 23 6.3 Minutes – 3rd plenary meeting of Slovakia Regional Partnership ...... 24 Purpose of meeting ...... 24 In attendance: ...... 24 The date and place of next plenary meeting ...... 25 6.3.1 Minutes – 4th plenary meeting of Slovakia Regional Partnership ...... 26 Purpose of meeting ...... 26 Attendees ...... 26 7 Declaration of FITR Slovak Regional Partnership...... 28 Small entrepreneurs in food and agriculture can change the regions ...... 28 8 Map of the FITR Slovak Partnership ...... 29 9 Slovakia Regional Partnership Action Plan ...... 30 9.1 Planned activities ...... 30 Supporting of small and family farmers and rural tourism ...... 30 Education ...... 30 Common activities ...... 30

2 About our project

2.12.12.1 Introduction to Food Incubators Transforming Regions The aim of the FITR- Food Incubators Transforming Regions project was clear. In Ireland (Roscommon), UK (Banbridge), The Netherlands (Friesland) and Slovakia (Nitra) we forged an effective & replicable model to provide the learning and structure to develop food kitchens & incubators as enterprise drivers. This in return will spur productive & sustainable economic development through an increase in available resources to start small businesses and creation of jobs in this sector. Ireland has recently embraced the growing EU focus on food incubation units which are gaining popularity right across the EU. The growing interest in such units is not surprising as recent trends have highlighted their huge underexploited potential in the food and culinary industry. Across all EU nations, speciality and artisan food products are gaining market share and a new generation of savvy food entrepreneurs are emerging. With the booming interest in local and artisan food, the demand for food production has exploded over the past decade, creating the demand that has bred new food incubators as a result. Food incubators can contribute to and greatly enhance the overall economic potential of a region. On this basis, it was a shared objective of all the development agencies in Roscommon to develop food incubators in the near future. 2.22.22.2 What are Food Incubators? Food incubators are dedicated food grade production units. They can also include the shared use commercial kitchen business model that culinary entrepreneurs can rent by the hour or block of time in order to commercially produce food products. Their availability makes it financially feasible for small and home-based food business to take advantage of a professional and licensed kitchen facility to develop and grow local enterprises without the onus capital investment of their own production kitchen. The need for food incubators stems from the fact that for many businesses it is just not possible to run a food business out of a home/domestic kitchen. In many cases, entrepreneurs who need licensed commercial kitchens do not have enough capital to invest in their own commercial kitchen and cannot develop their full potential. Kitchen incubators/accelerators and shared-use kitchens seek to fill this gap and provide facilities for these entrepreneurs. That is why we as a regional alliance have come together to exploit this potential in our region.

2.32.32.3 1.3 Aims & Objectives Food Incubators Transforming Regions (FITR) is an ambitious two year Erasmus+ Project working to achieve four big aims… 1. Create, publish and promote the Food Incubators Transforming Regions toolkit to encourage the creation of further Alliances across Europe. 2. Establish four sector specific Regional Alliances to optimise and mobilise the food sector response at regional level. Each Alliance commits to their Action in a Regional Alliance Action Plan. 3. The construction and equipping of a shared use production kitchen provides entrepreneurs with time-share access to production facilities and the opportunity to start and expand speciality food and catering businesses without the prohibitive cost of building their own commercial kitchen. 4. Providing the true “incubator approach”, offering start up food entrepreneurs access to business support services & training and technical assistance through the provision of food technologists through linking up with third level institutes or government agencies

Figure 1 Slovak Regional Partnership during the FITR Multiplier event and signature the Declaration

2.42.42.4 1.4 International Partnership The FITR application vision set out a framework of Stakeholders who need to be involved to make the alliance effective. The following FITR EU Partnership identified under the framework was very progressive and achieved a successful and positive overall outcome. The FITR Project brings together partners from: • UK/Northern Ireland (Banbridge District Enterprises and Canice Consulting), • Ireland (Roscommon Leader Partnership and Momentum Marketing ), • Slovakia (Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra and New Edu, n.o.), • The Netherlands (BDF). 3 Audit and analysis (status quo - existing state of affairs)

3.13.13.1 SSScopeScope of the Region Slovak Republic was established on 1st of January 1993 after Czechoslovakia split into two countries – Czech Republic and Slovakia. The former communist country went through deep social changes and huge economic reforms when it had to transform the centrally planned economy to a market-driven economy. The Slovak economic transition is usually said as very successful (sometimes as the most successful of all post-communist countries), even though especially in the 90’s it was a very hard process. In the meantime, Slovakia has a high average GDP growth that is why it is called the Central European Tiger or the . The cheaper, well-educated labour force, low tax rates (20% flat rate tax) and stable economy with Euro as its official currency, attracts a lot of foreign investments. Slovakia is a landlocked country and fully enclosed by 5 neighbours. The territory of 49,035 square kilometres is divided into 8 large regions and 79 smaller districts/counties. Each of the 8 so-called Higher-Tier or Upper-Tier Territorial Units (VÚC – Vyššie Územné Celky) are named after the largest city in that region: Bratislava, Košice, Banská Bystrica, Žilina, Trenčín, Trnava, Nitra, Prešov. Slovakia has a population of 5.4 million. Bratislava with 430,000 inhabitants is the largest city and the capital at the same time. Despite the modern European economy and society, Slovakia has a significant rural element. About 45% of live in villages with fewer than 5000 inhabitants, and 14% in villages with fewer than 1000.

3.23.23.2 National and regional policies National and regional politics of Slovak Republic is inspired by national documents based on the principles of partnership and sustainable development, which can be seen in the chosen priorities areas and preferred activities and projects with highest potential to support a smooth realization of these principles. Slovakia´s conception of agricultural and food production development for the years 2014-2020 is determined by the strategic goal defined in the document The Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 focusing at establishment of a multifunctional agriculture, food production, forestry and subsequent assurance of a sustainable development of countryside. The priorities of the RDP 2014-2020: • Business environment beneficial for innovations, • Infrastructure for economic growth and creation of new working positions, • Growth of human capital and increase of participation on the labour-market, • Sustainable and effective exploitation of natural resources, • Modern and Professional public administration. The goals of the RDP 2014-2020: • To support a high agricultural competitiveness; • To ensure a sustainable management of natural resources and measurements dealing with the climate challenges; • To reach a balanced regional development of rural economies and communities including creating and sustaining of working positions.

Basic priorities of the RDP 2014-2020: Priority 1: Transfer of knowledge and innovations Domains of focus: • Support of innovations and increase of knowledge basis in rural areas • Vitalization of the link connecting both agriculture and forestry with research and innovations • Promotion of life-long learning and high-level education specialized at agriculture and forestry domains Priority 2: Support competitiveness in all agricultural resorts and increase viability of agricultural enterprises • Overall improvement of economic outputs of all agricultural enterprises and facilitation of re-structuralization and modernization of agricultural enterprises focusing especially at increase of their direct participation in the markets and improvement of agricultural diversification • Smoothing of generational exchange in the agricultural sector Priority 3: Improvement of organization of the food production network and risk management in agriculture • Integration of primary producers into the food production network through the systems of quality and promotion at local markets • Support of risk management in agricultural enterprises Priority 4: To renew, protect and strengthen the eco systems dependant on agriculture • Renewal, preservation and strengthening of biological diversity of the rural areas in Europe including the localities of the Natura 2000 system, the areas facing natural or other limitations, and high nature value locations • Improvement of water economy including storage and application of fertilizers and pesticides • Prevention against soil erosion and enhancing the quality of soil management Priority 5: Promotion of effective resources management and support of the transition to low-carbon economy resilient against climate changes in the agriculture, food production and forestry resorts • Increase of water management effectivity in agriculture • Improve energy management in agriculture and food production • Simplification of delivery and utilization of renewable energy, side-products, waste, remains and other non-food resources serving the purpose of bio- economy • Lowering emissions of greenhouse gases and ammoniac in the agro domain • Support of sequestration of carbon dioxide in agriculture and forestry Priority 6: Empowerment of social inclusion, poverty decrease, and economic growth in rural areas • Facilitation of diversification, establishing new small enterprises and creation of working positions • Support of local development in rural areas • Expansion of accessibility, usage and quality of information and communication Technologies (ICT) in rural areas

3.33.33.3 Food Incubators in Slovak Republic The Slovak Government launched in 2015 a national project whose main objective is to support emerging technology start-ups. In the process of establishment of incubators plays the important role Slovak Business Agency (SBA, 2015). Thanks to its help during the last few years were established incubators in Martin, Bratislava and Spisska Nova Ves, technology incubators in Banska Bystrica, Presov, Zilina, Presov, Kosice and Bratislava (Figure 2).

Figure 2 Incubators in the Slovak Republic (SBA, Slovak Business Agency, 2015)

The network of incubators in Slovak Republic represents the spatial capacity of 17 500 m2 and on the functioning of incubators has been so far spent 20 million € from the National Agency for Development of Small and Medium Enterprises and 890 thousand € from the program "Support for small and medium-sized businesses through a network of incubators" (Weisova, 2012). In Slovak Republic are particularly prevalent two types of incubators - business and technology incubators. • Business incubator represents an organization which supports the process of creating new successful companies by providing premises and a complete, integrated range of services. • Technological incubator supports technology transfer from scientific research institutions and universities into the business practice through the creation of new innovative companies involved with technology. Besides these, there are the following types (SBA, Slovak Business Agency, 2015): o working incubator, o second generation incubator, o virtual incubator, o multipurpose incubator, o specialized incubator, o mixed incubator, o manufacturing incubator, o service incubator, o "pre-incubator". Anyway, even if the support for start-ups significantly increased during the last few years, there is no presence of existence of the food incubator. The existing system of support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through various actors includes a number of institutions and support tools. This involves mainly central state administration bodies, whose tasks are concentrated mainly on policy development and sourcing, and particularly specialized agencies, funds and banking institutions, which mainly serve to implement these policies, even if the initiator and founder are the state administration bodies. And last, but not least, this also includes interest and the professional organizations.

3.43.43.4 Business incubators in Slovak republic Name of the incubator Their offer More info BIC Banská Bystrica, They offer virtual office http://www.e-inkubator.sk s.r.o. for companies, which for Hviezdoslavova 475/3, various reasons do not 971 01 Prievidza want to run their own office space. BIC Prievidza, spol. s r.o. Offering: http://bic_prievidza_spol_s_r_o.sk- Hviezdoslavova 3, - assignment and firma.com 97101 Prievidza preparation of change of the subject of projects aimed at business region development - support of development of education and human resources - marketing and promotion of the region - cooperation with foreign agencies and foundations - counceling for establishing a company - processing of bussiness, finance and marketing plans - workshops and courses in varios domains HUMAN INSIDE s. r. o. - HR services http://www.humaninside.sk Majerníková 3565/1B - HR consulting change of the subject of Name of the incubator Their offer More info 841 05 Bratislava - Staré business Mesto Inkubátor Malacky, n.o. Renting of: Bernolákova 1/A, - administration 901 01 Malacky offices (size 24 - 30 - 35 - 40m2) - representative http://www.inmalacky.sk offices for start-up enterprises Podnikateľský inkubátor Aims of the incubator: Spišská Nová Ves - improve the Tehelná 20, 052 01 business Spišská Nová Ves environment in the middle Spiš region

- to increase www.bicsnv.sk competitiveness of small start-up enterprises - support the dynamization of economic growth and eliminate the risk of failures Regionálne poradenské Cooperation with the www.rpicpo.sk a informačné centrum Technological University Prešov Košice Reimanova 9, 080 01 Providing: Prešov - counceling services for SMEs and subjects interested in business - education for SMEs and subjects interested in business - microloans - international business development Name of the incubator Their offer More info Regionálne poradenské Mission of the centre: a informačné centrum - support of small and Rožňava medium-size Zakarpatská 19, 048 01 enterprises Rožňava (counselling for

companies and http://www.rpicrv.sk beginning entrepreneurs) - preparation and realization of projects and entrepreneurial intentions - renting of premises with a discount for beginning entrepreneurs (offices, storehouses, etc.) - providing of services (internet, copy service, secretarial work) Košický vedecko The incubator was www.kvti.sk technický inkubator established in November the web page is offline a the Floriánska 19, 040 01 2003. The project was incubator stopped its activity Košice - Juh supported by the fund PHARE with a sum 250 000 €. The overall expenses for the phase 1 represented almost 830 000 €. Besides premises for beginning entrepreneurs in HI-TECH companies, the incubator also provides 20 % of its premises for commercial renting and 30 % of its premises for supporting services, e.g. boards, legal counceling, etc.. Name of the incubator Their offer More info Univerzitný University of Technology technologický inkubátor Incubator is a STU department of the Pionierska 15, 831 02 Slovak Technical Bratislava - Staré University in Bratislava,

Mesto which aims its activities www.inqb.sk to support start-ups. Newly created firms provides an advantageous lease office space and support services package. Vedecko-technologický Counselling for start-up park Žilina small and medium-size www.vtpzilina.sk Univerzitná 25, 010 08 enterprises Žilina AgroBioTech – Food The aim of the incubator Actually in the preparation Incubator in Nitra is to integrate science, phase – development of the research, and document “Working Manual of innovations with the the ABT Incubator“. entrepreneurial praxis and through this to increase the competitiveness of the region.

www.agrobiotech.sk

1

1 https://www.google.sk/maps/@48.6765848,18.1239537,254095m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!6m1!1szcLksSdvrG4Q.katikdb78lQQ?hl=sk The majority of incubators in Slovakia were established in the period 2002-2008 with the aid of PHARE funding aiming predominantly at the support of start-up enterprises, especially their renting fees and internet fees. A significant amount of these incubators stopped their activities or changed the subject of their business. Currently there are no incubators in Slovakia actively focusing at the domain of food production. However, the following paragraphs present the intentions of several institutions involved in this domain, or more precisely, the potential for food production incubators in Slovakia.

4 Stakeholder Mapping

A partnership is an agreement to do something together that will benefit all involved, bringing results that could not be achieved by a single partner operating alone, and reducing duplication of efforts.

Education and training: - Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra - key player in the field of research, innovation and education in the agriculture and food production in Slovakia, but EU space as well. Good contacts with the local and national politicians – some of them are members of SUA Scientific Board or Board of Directors - New Edu, n.o. - umbrella body for education in rural area – founder of the Learning platform of Rural Platform. Community: - Rural Platform – a free platform of associated NGOs and non-profit organizations supporting all forms of activities vital for a sustainable life in the countryside. - National Centre for Equal Opportunities – non-profit government- independent organization providing services aimed at creation and support of programmes and projects empowering equal and fair opportunities for all who are in need to live their lives in dignity and well-being. NCEO cooperates with a team of national and international experts, representatives of local municipalities, public and state administration with the aim to form a conception that could be integrated into the politics and developmental programmes both on the state and regional level. - We Learn to Run a Business –association of young entrepreneurs enhancing their mutual support through exchange of know-how, sharing of experiences and personal meetings deepening their relations and partnerships. - Young Entrepreneurs Association of Slovakia – their vision is to become the voice of young entrepreneurs – defending their interests in the institution- forming business environment of Slovakia – and to create bridges between the successful entrepreneurs of today and tomorrow. Young Entrepreneurs Association of Slovakia (YEAS) was established in 2010 as an organisation that connects young entrepreneurs under the age of 40. The main reason for the establishment of YEAS was a lack of attention devoted to encouraging the young generation of entrepreneurs, who will represent the future of Slovak business. Young people are usually not usually suffering from a lack of new ideas, but they are missing know-how, contacts, and capital. The Young Entrepreneurs Association of Slovakia has an ambition to offer activities that alleviate these conditions. Social enterprises: - Dr. Kresanek – implements projects of social entrepreneurship and integrates societal activities between various communities. Social entrepreneurship is a non-profit activity aimed at creation of societal values. This type of philanthropic activity empowers the principles of long-term sustainability of societal life and simultaneously supports self-sufficient non-commercial projects. Government: - Slovak Business Agency - is crucial, and is the oldest specialized non-profit organization for the support of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Slovak Business Agency was founded in 1993 by a common initiative of the EU and the Government of the Slovak Republic. It is the unique platform of public and private sectors. - Ministry of Agriculture - Public body with the highest priority in the legislation process in agriculture and food production Business: - Incoma Slovakia – providing of complete services in the domain of marketing research and marketing counselling.

4.14.14.1 Analysing stakeholders

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Ministry of Public Public body Change of Influence The main Agriculture support of with the legislation in athe institution in the project highest the domain formation of the domain and opening priority in of support legislation, of formation of the the of supporting of business discussion legislation entrepreneu and financial legislation in on the process in rship in the schemes the sphere theme of agriculture agrodomain High of support of and food and food agriculture entrepreneu production production Hand food rship in the High and production agriculture, establishme High food nt of an production official and communicat nutrition ion channel High bridging the gap between the legislation and practice High Incoma More than Contacts at Marketing Focusing at Necessary Slovakia 20 years of the support and the because of experience successful counselling organization the colse in the entrepreneu to beginning of marketing contacts sphere of rs, entrepreneu events with the marketing advertising rs, Low leading services and agencies, diseminatio advertising counselling policy and n of outputs agencies Medium decision of projects High makers Low Low 5 The “Business Case”

A successful partnership enhances the impact and effectiveness of action through combined and more efficient use of resources; promotes innovation; and is distinguished by a strong commitment from each partner. One key motive for implementing local and regional partnerships is the belief that working together is more effective than working in isolation. Partnerships – an effective way of working together – operate under different local conditions, depending on the detailed nature of the problems, the institutional environment, political factors, experiences and culture.

5.15.15.1 Business Case “Without waste” Young married couple runs an e-shop http://bezodpadu.sk/. They try to buy high rates of durable agricultural products from Slovak producers with the main idea of their entrepreneurship being the reduction of the carbon dioxide transport emissions and lowering of the plastic packaging by using decomposable or reusable packaging.

From their point of view the greatest challenge is to find the reliable certified farmers, however, the administrative process of certification is highly demanding for the farmers, thus, counselling services for the farmers could provide one type of activities of this food production incubator. Another challenge represent the store house conditions and the packaging process: in case when a start-up entrepreneur with minimal investment capital opens his business and begins to buy goods, the preparation of proper store house premises (just as their heating in the winter) is highly demanding. A significant aid could be provided also by professions like: design services (design of labels, web-pages, and logos), marketing counselling, web development, etc. The incubator could create several specific working positions (e.g. for the students of IT faculties), that could provide these services for a low cost fees.

5.25.25.2 Business Case “Food Incubator of Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra” As a part of the Research Centre AgroBioTech at the SUA in Nitra are active specialized laboratories that, based on the requirements of the sponsors of the resulting applications, plan to establish a food production incubator focusing at concrete tasks. Currently the incubator works on the document “Working Manual of the ABT Incubator“. In near future the incubator intends to participate in development of innovative processes and development of new food products. The innovations are related with application of new findings, ideas and solutions, scaling also the final developmental stages of their commercial maturity and competitiveness at the market. The aim of the incubator is to integrate science, research, and innovations with the entrepreneurial praxis and through this to increase the competitiveness of the region.

6 Building the FITR Slovakia Regional Partnership

6.16.16.1 Minutes ––– 111ststst plenary meeting of Slovakia Regional Partnership

Date: November 18, 2015 Meeting venue: Nitra

In attendance:

First FITR Slovakia Partnership plenary meeting has been held at the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra in November 18, 2015. The aim of the plenary meeting was to introduce the FITR project and start the process of creation the FITR Slovakia Partnership. Invitation and the program of the 1 st plenary meeting have been prepared by Zuzana Palkova, Martin Olejar and Vladimir Cviklovic from SUA and Michal Palko and Lucia Gallova from New Edu. Participants of the meeting have been carefully selected from the key stakeholders of Slovakia agro- and food sectors, like a Agroinstitut, Vidiecka platforma, Poctivi farmari, Agrarian Chamber of Slovak Republic, Slovak Agriculture and Food Chamber, Association of Young Farmers of Slovakia, Quality from our regions, National Centre for Equal Opportunities etc. Zuzana Palkova welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced the Food Incubators Transforming Regions (FITR) project. During the introduction speech the rationale of the FITR regional partnership has been presented and outlining the missions of food incubators, target groups and planned activities of the Slovakia FITR partnership – aimed to enlarge food business opportunities in Slovakia. During the discussion some proposals from the participating organisations have been proposed and at the conclusion of the meeting, the discussion about the further activities. With the aim to create Slovakia Action Plan, the Slovakia Partnership will realized: - interviews with 5 food incubator managers in Slovakia; - interview with staffs from these incubators; - interview with a representative from government agency; - interview with potential clients of incubators; - desk research - for the purpose of securing this information different questionnaires will be developed, including: o a questionnaire for staff of food incubators; o a questionnaire for focus groups; o a questionnaire for governmental agencies which deal with innovation, technology. Preliminary dates for following plenary meetings:

Photos

6.26.26.2 MinMinutesutes ––– 222ndndnd plenary meeting of Slovakia Regional Partnership Date: January 18, 2016 Meeting venue: Bratislava

Purpose of meeting To consider the potential of food incubators at regional level, policy environment and public opinion in the region.

In attendance: 1. Zuzana Palková, SUA Nitra 2. Vladimir Cviklovič, SUA Nitra 3. Lucia Gallová, New Edu 4. Michal Palko, New Edu 5. Bohumila Tauchmannová, Incoma 6. Anna Balková, Rodinné farmy 7. Július Kraľ, OZ Cesnak 8. Janka Leitnerová, Poctiví farmári 9. Anna Klimáčková, National Centre for Equal Opportunities 10. Jozef Fekiač, Permakultúra CS 11. Juraj Gogora, Agroinstitut, s.p. Nitra 12. Peter Vnucko, CEDA, n.o. 13. Martin Kereszthey, Domáci trh 14. Andrea Šipošová, Vidiecka platforma The second FITR Slovakia Partnership plenary meeting has been held at the Rural Platform in Bratislava in January 18, 2016. The aim of the plenary meeting was to consider the potential of food incubators in Slovakia as well as to identify the policy environment. Zuzana Palkova welcomed everyone and presented the overview of the findings from the discussions during the 1 st plenary meeting. During the speech pointed on the fact, that food incubator as a food hub should be problematic because of missing traditions in this form of food services. In the Slovakia dominate traditional restaurants with more or less well equipped kitchens, in the case of Slovakia the Food incubators should play different role. They purpose will not be only as is explain in the document “The essential guide to developing a Regional Food Incubator Partnership “, but they should help to find possibilities that rural area offers for farming but to help store the product of agriculture production, to establish networks of producers, farmers, customers, etc. and at last, but not least to help identify business opportunities for rural tourism. After the opening speech, the discussion was opened and in general all partners found the consensus that this way should be very progressive for the development of rural areas. In the conclusion partners agreed to prepare common declaration for establishment of the Slovakia Regional Partnership.

The date and place of next plenary meeting February 9, 2016 in Bratislava

6.36.36.3 Minutes ––– 333rdrdrd plenary meeting of Slovakia Regional Partnership Date: March 9, 2016 Meeting venue: Bratislava

Purpose of meeting Stakeholders in each FITR Regional Partnership share their best practice and learn about effective solutions for food incubation as economic stimulators in Europe.

In attendance: 1. Zuzana Palkova, SUA Nitra 2. Martin Olejar, SUA Nitra 3. Lucia Gallova, New Edu 4. Michal Palko, New Edu 5. Bohumila Tauchmannova, Incoma 6. Anna Balkova, Rodinné farmy 7. Janka Leitnerova, Poctiví farmári 8. Anna Klimackova, National Centre for Equal Opportunities 9. Jozef Fekiac, Permakultúra CS 10. Peter Klimcek, Slovak Business Agency 11. Peter Vnucko, CEDA, n.o. 12. Erik Leitner, Kreatívna brána Because of the upcoming in Slovakia on March 5, 2016, the time for the 3rd Plenary Meeting of Slovak Regional Partnership has shifted to 9 March 2016. The situation after the elections is quite complicated and it is unclear whether a new government will be formed. Either way, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Economy will go through significant changes. The partnership presented activities carried out in the last period: - We contacted the Slovak Business Agency to present project Fitr and identify potential opportunities for cooperation and support. SBA representative was invited to the plenary meeting. - An agreement to cooperate was made with three autonomies - 1 city and 2 municipalities (Hrinova, Zikava, Podkylava). Cooperation will aim to find feasibility for food incubators with the support of local authorities, and all the possibilities within their competence, which means space, human capacity building, promotion, media coverage. - Ongoing discussions about the cooperation with interest groups that associate young entrepreneurs - Association of Young Entrepreneurs, which is the most relative organization of young entrepreneurs in Slovakia - We start the food incubator in Bratislava region - in Bratislava we plan to build a storage space that will provide its facilities for interest groups and farmers. The project will be held under the New Edu’s partner organization Domestic market. - First food incubator starts in Košice, whose primary purpose is to provide storage facilities to small and family farmers who produce organic foods. Long term goals: - Once the names of members of the new government will be known, establish cooperation with the new Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and Minister of Economy. - In cooperation with experts on food, catering and warehousing establishments, representatives of financial institutions and economists to work out-service business model for the future function of the food incubators in Slovakia. - Preparation of documents for the Declaration of Cooperation. - Design a map of the members of Slovak Regional Partnership.

The date and place of next plenary meeting June 16, 2016 in Bratislava

6.3.1 Minutes ––– 444ththth plenary meeting of Slovakia Regional Partnership Date: June 16, 2016 Meeting venue: Bratislava

Purpose of meeting To prepare the Declaration of cooperation between members of the Slovakia Regional Partnership and to define the further steps and activities of the partnership.

Attendees 1. Zuzana Palkova, SUA Nitra 2. Vladimír Cviklovič, SUA Nitra 3. Michal Palko, New Edu 4. Lucia Gallova, New Edu 5. Martin Keresthey, Domáci trh 6. Andrea Šipošová, Vidiecka platforma 7. Bohumila Tauchmannova, Incoma 8. Július Kráľ, OZ Slovenský cesnak 9. Anna Balkova, Rodinné farmy 10. Janka Leitnerova, Poctiví farmári 11. Anna Klimackova, Narodne centrum rovnosti prilezitosti 12. Jozef Fekiac, Permakultúra CS 13. Peter Vnucko, CEDA, n.o. Slovak Regional Partnership activities must be aimed at creating business and employment opportunities for residents of rural regions. The purpose of food incubators must not only be supporting the establishment and development of food and catering businesses, but also a demonstration of the possibilities that the countryside offers to businesses, and help with product marketing. Despite the lack of tradition, it is necessary to promote the development of so-called Street Food - Catering where ready meals and drinks are offered by a vendor on the streets or markets. Participants drew attention to other options regarding food incubators, especially development of rural tourism, small farms and young farmers. The partnership agreed to following activities in pilot regions: 1.1.1. Create a system of food production / products for small landlordsl andlords and help them with sales: - Do a research in needs and opportunities for the region. Natural conditions - what can grow in the region, what can be breed, what is the interest of small landlords to use their fields / gardens / orchards. - Establish a system of cooperation - networking. - Establish an organization / municipal enterprise that will manage and coordinate activities. - Identify and modify the space where will the food / agricultural products will be stored, processed, distributed. The agreement with the producers which are concentrated in the cultivation, farmed and what products can be created. - Create a space for co-processing of their products (milk, vegetables, fruit, meat and so on.) And subsequently ensure distribution of the products - eg. in catering centres / restaurants and so on. It is important that in mentioned processing, the hygiene standards are complied so every small producers doesn’t need a HCCP permission (which is expensive quality certificate, without which they cannot sell processed products). Thanks to this procedure, high quality products will be manufactured. - Develop a marketing system - the agreement with consumers- restaurants, schools, offices - offering products for use. - Creation of a network of small shops in the region in which the products will be marketed (this part is related to the development of rural tourism and the arrival of tourists to whom it will sell). 2.2.2. Development of rural tourism and agroagro----tourism:tourism: - Analysis of the predisposition of the region in terms of agro-tourism potential and possibilities of its use for the development of the region. - An offer for tourists - packages tailored for specific groups (families with children, athletes, cyclists, elderly people, etc.). - Creation of the organization / enterprise and sustainable model of financing, which will manage the entire process: management, marketing, creation of tender packages, providing accommodation for tourists, guides, program animators for children, etc.). 3.3.3. Education as needed: - Prepare a training module for the needs of small and novice landlords particular focus on developing practical skills needed to produce quality products in all areas, training in marketing, communication and presentation skills, IT technologies, rural tourism / agro-tourism. -

7 Declaration of FITR Slovak Regional Partnership

Small entrepreneurs in food and agriculture can change the regions We are aware of the irreplaceable role played in the development of Slovak regions occupy small entrepreneurs in the food, agriculture and catering services. These entrepreneurs should be given the necessary support in terms of legislation, access to technology and finance, so an access to business opportunities, local markets, loans, investments, training programs and consulting services should be granted. The undersigned individuals and organizations jointly declare: - We focus our efforts on the close and productive regional cooperation in the development of business opportunities in the food, agriculture and catering services. We want and we fully support the development of business environment in the food, agriculture and catering services. - It is our desire to work together to identify problems, gaps, defaults that need to be resolved in order to develop and promote the production of quality food products and services. 8 Map of the FITR Slovak Partnership

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ESr2TATbKJcgY-yFzomN0WJAq-A&usp=sharing

9 Slovakia Regional Partnership Action Plan

The problem of higher unemployment rate on the countryside compare with the cities is specific also due to willingness of people to commute to a work. The traditional way of farming - cooperatives in the form of folded and a new system of independent management, people still unusual. Many are clueless - they have land, they desire to do something, but do not know how. Even if the concept aimed at supporting small and young family farmers was approved by Slovak government, the situation is not optimal. Only the one who is familiar with connected activities can become prosperous farmer. In Slovakia can be found lot of young people and families that wish to start business in the agriculture, food production or tourism. However, not everyone has the capacity, experiences and knowledge to begin. Very often happens that unprepared young farmer will take business loan, but since he or she does not have the experience and knowledge of the business and particularly well thought-out way of marketing their products, over time he or she goes bankrupt.

Therefore is very important to have communities and contact points that help to small farmers with the selling of their products, advise them how and where to start, help them with marketing and so on. Moreover, it is essential to establish an effective link between agriculture and rural tourism, which open possibilities for tourists to buy domestic and agriculture products. The main aim of the Slovak Regional Partnership is to create business and job opportunities for the people from rural regions via establishment of food incubators. Their mission will be not only to support creation and activities of food and catering companies, but pointed on the possibilities that rural area open for commercial activities.

9.19.19.1 Planned activities Supporting of small and family farmers and rural tourism • To realize Need analysis - natural and climate conditions, what there should grow, feed, the intention of small landlords to use their fields/gardens/orchards, agro touristic potential of region and its potential of for development of region.

Education • To prepare learning modules for small and family farmers and beginners in agro business focused on the development of practical skills and knowledge about production of high quality products. Main topics of the learning modules: marketing, communication and presentation, IT technologies (online marketing), rural tourism.

Common activities • To establish a system of cooperation - networking. • To establish a structure of Food Incubator as an organization/municipal enterprise that will manage and coordinate activities. • To identify and modify the space, where they will prepare/distribute/sell/store food/agricultural products. The most important factor that has to be consider is compliance with hygiene standards. • To close agreement between local producers and Food incubator managers and secondly to find contact with relevant restaurants and food shops. • To process a marketing system – agreements with end users like as restaurants, schools, offices and presentation of products.

Person(s) Date to be Resources Potential barriers or Action step Collaborators responsible completed required resistance

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